To round out our Women’s History Month series we’re highlighting another of our dynamic organizers. Sequnley Gray is a senior organizer with DC Jobs with Justice and sits on the board of Many Languages One Voice. She works to ensure DC’s Latinx and African American communities have access to equitable resources and have a voice in the democratic process. Meet Sequnley!
1. Tell us a little about yourself. Who are you and why do you do social justice work?
I am a native of the District of Columbia; born and raised east of the river in Kenilworth Parkside, and I am a proud mama of 4 beautiful boys. Social justice has always been a part of my life. I was born into the social justice movement. As a child, I watched my grandmother fight for human rights, like affordable home ownership for poor people, and my mother provided unconditional love and patience to her family and community. Because of their sacrifice, I am the woman I am today. My four beautiful and brave sons give me the strength and determination to keep them safe and provide the best life I can for them.
It is my responsibility to carry on the legacy of my late grandmother, Kimi Gray, and to leave my own legacy behind for my children to carry on. I believe at some point in every person of color’s life, they’ve had to fight for social justice to make their lives better. So I’ve never looked at it as work. Social justice work is a necessity for every person of color—some choose to dedicate their lives to it and I’m one of those people.
2. Tell me about your job. What do you do for DC Jobs with Justice?
DC Jobs with Justice (DCJWJ) is an economic justice nonprofit organization that fights for the rights of working families in the District of Columbia. We work closely with unions and community organizations to protect workers from greedy corporations. In my role, I represent DCJWJ in several coalition spaces, like Fair Budget Coalition and Many Languages One Voice. As senior organizer, I also support coalitions that are being run by DCJWJ, like the Reclaim Rent Control Coalition, the Just Pay Coalition and the DC Health Justice coalition. Lastly, I am excited to mention the Ward 7 Expansion. The W7 Expansion is a project dear to my heart. Being a product of Ward 7, the W7 Expansion gives me the opportunity to engage with Ward 7 residents in a deeper way on issues that affect people of color in this city. I am building relationships with black-led organizations and communities of color that are often left out of the democratic process in DC. My goal is to create a Power Building Coalition east of the river and create solidarity with the northern region of DC so that the most vulnerable residents’ needs are met.
3. And you’re on the board for Many Languages One Voice (MLOV). Tell us why you felt it was important to join their board.
I felt the need to join MLOV’s board because it is necessary to continue to build solidarity between the Black and Latino communities. In my personal and professional capacity, I support organizers who work at MLOV and I believe in their mission to make sure immigrant families have the same rights as other families in DC. My family and I have lived, worked, gone to school with, and are fighting for social justice for the Latino community in DC. My children graduated from a bilingual elementary school, and I was a parent leader at their school for many years. I worked very hard to create solidarity between the two communities in a rough time of transition in DC’s education system. I’ve seen firsthand how immigrant and Black families’ needs are constantly ignored and I had to do something about it.
4. What’s the most rewarding thing about doing organizing work? What’s the most challenging?
The most rewarding thing about organizing is winning, of course. But equally as rewarding is the power and unity we build as a community. It’s the new relationships and families that are formed along the way. Even if we don’t win, we did really win because now we have a family, team or squad to depend on and continue to build with. I love my people and I want the chance to love as many of us as possible.
5. How are you being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, both at work and personally?
The COVID-19 has impacted me greatly in many ways. DC Public Schools are closed until April 27th and my children are participating in distance learning at home which impacts my work because my office is closed due to the pandemic as well. It’s a new challenge to which my family and I are learning to adapt. I am also serving as a hub for mutual aid in my current community. I have been working with my friend and fellow organizer Natacia Knapper to collect non-perishables, hand sanitizer and monetary donations for Ward 1 residents in need. So far, we have been able to serve 6 communities in Ward 1. I live in a house on the same street as the Park Morton Public Housing community. We are one community. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we were already keeping each other safe from police and intercommunity violence. The pandemic has only brought us closer and heightened our awareness of one another.
6. What would you like people to know about the life of workers in this day and age?
Nothing has really changed for workers in DC. Yes, DC has the Wage Theft Prevention Act, but there are still many flaws in how it’s being implemented. There are still large numbers of DC workers and businesses that don’t have the proper information about the law and as a result, workers lose their jobs, then their homes. Airport, healthcare and retail workers still have to fight for fair contracts and provide great customer service while their lives are in danger during the COVID-19 crisis. Workers have community support, though. There are organizations like DC Jobs with Justice, MLOV and Restaurant Opportunities Center (ROC) DC that are working diligently to raise funds for workers that have been laid off and non-traditional workers who aren’t protected by the Wage Theft Prevention Act. We are hoping to help as many DC workers and residents as possible.
7. Anything else you’d like to share?
We are all concerned how this country will turn out after this COVID-19 pandemic is over. Let us take this moment to care for one another. Let us reflect on how this country and our local government have responded to this epidemic, and how we as a community are standing up to keep each other safe. Remember the promises that were made to our communities, look at the facts and vote accordingly.
